I have been wholesaling real estate & biz was not taking off. I realized I needed to up my marketing. I made a website www.brittaneybuyshouses.com. just ordered biz cards & I will be buying a decal for my car. I reactivated my 1-866 #, and will be doing a few more things. This will be my year...I hope I can get at least 3 deals a month.]]>
Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:08:36 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10051846.html#10051846http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10051789.html#10051789
Author: GLAMAFROMNYSubject: 352803Posted: Jan 05 2013 at 3:44pm

Educational goalsFinished my advanced certificate by the end of the summer Look into 2nd masters program

Career goalsGet a job as a special Ed teacher before September, preferably within a special Ed district

Personal goalsBecome social, being in the house on a Friday and Saturday night every weekend sucks :( (I'm so anti-social)Read more books, not school relatedBecome open to new experiences Travel moreGo to the gym consistently to preserve the sexy]]>
Sat, 05 Jan 2013 15:44:28 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10051789.html#10051789http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10044799.html#10044799
Author: dOLLish.Subject: 352803Posted: Jan 02 2013 at 5:17pm

Education Goals:

Maintain my GPA. Although I'm missing one of my grades, my GPA is decent. My goal is to maintain this GPA. If I'm unable to, I would at least like to keep a high (3.8 or better) GPA. *fingers crossed*

Dedicate more time to academics. This means, instead of watching TV or opting to surf the 'net, I'd be keeping up with required readings/assignments. I don't want to wait until the last minute to get things done. It's always good work, but I'm always overwhelmed.

Begin looking into PhD programs. I'm indecisive, however going for my PhD is something I've considered in the past. I wouldn't apply to programs just yet, rather I'd look into some and compile a list of no more than five that I'd really be interested in.

Financial Goals:

No more frivolous spending. This loan refund burned a hole in my pocket. I began spending more than I had in years ... on stuff I didn't need. Now, if I don't need it, I won't be spending on it.

Budget better.

Save more. My mother is paying the interest on my loans. However, I want to start putting money aside, in a savings account (at least $75 - 100 a month) to put down on my loans. I'm in debt to my ears, so I doubt it'd do much of anything, but it's a start.

Personal Goals:

Keep my resolutions. It's always easier to make them than to keep them.

Seek out help. I realize there are certain things I can't do by myself. The next step is to find someone who can help.

Start networking. In the event that I don't go straight for my PhD (if I even chose to do it), I would have to find a place to do my residency after graduation. I have to start reaching out to places/expressing an interest. It may help to do more volunteer work.

my biggest project is figuring out if I want to continue teaching or move to a new career. If I decide to stay in teaching, I would like to start on my master's degree. If not, then I need to figure out how to go to a different career and begin the process of job searching.

I would like me and my husband to continue to improve on our home. My goals for this year is to get the guest room/dining room/master bedroom painted. Do something w/ the kitchen as well (new countertops/backsplash is the main goal). Next yr will be the basement and garage.

I really want to get fit, so exercising consistently with no excuses.

Maintain relationships w/ family and friends....I am horrible at keeping up with people.

Begin to write again...I may start off w/ FF stuff but eventually work on my own stuff. My ultimate goal is to be published.

my projects for 2013 remains the same as they were for 2012/2011/2010. finish construction (including a major project to generate my own power) on my house, pay off the mortgage. then retire by the feb 2015. that is all.

My biggest goals are to finish my back, get to some sort of sustainable health (God-willing), and to lay the groundwork to run for the DC school board in 2014. Now that I'm retired I have nothing but time so I have to use it wisely.

not setting or keeping records of goals has kept me from many disappointments

jr.

So do you just kind of work on your goals subconsciously?

Sometimes that works for me...just doing what I need to do without thinking directly on it. But I don't know if it's sustainable...or it's only sustainable for me when I have systems/routines in place that make it easy to take action without thinking about it.

I think the fear of not meeting an objective or being disappointed can be an obstacle. Do you (or anyone else) set your expectations low or are you just very realistic about what you can accomplish? And at what point do you push past what you already know you can do and expand into things that are more difficult/complex?]]>
Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:28:23 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10043692.html#10043692http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10043690.html#10043690
Author: SoutherNtellectSubject: 352803Posted: Jan 02 2013 at 9:27am

Junior Jr wrote:

not setting or keeping records of goals has kept me from many disappointments

jr.

and probably held you back from your full potential. disappointment is a part of life. make realistic goals with a well thought out plan and you'll experience less of it.

get out of all debt, I doubt I will pay all of my students loans off, but I will put a big dent in the amount.]]>
Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:26:04 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10043689.html#10043689http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10043685.html#10043685
Author: maysay1Subject: 352803Posted: Jan 02 2013 at 9:24am

cvzx wrote:

Just completed one project...I stuck to my schedule and completed it in the timeframe I gave myself...with little to no procrastination

Congrats! That's what I like to hear.

I just did a little work on cleaning out my emails. Deleted like 6k. I already feel better.

Just completed one project...I stuck to my schedule and completed it in the timeframe I gave myself...with little to no procrastination ]]>
Tue, 01 Jan 2013 19:42:46 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10042724.html#10042724http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041964.html#10041964
Author: AmyAmyAmySubject: 352803Posted: Jan 01 2013 at 3:22pm

get somesort of entry level job in the finance sector if that fails any job will suffice

start uni in september

improve my maths

improve my eating/lose weight

get a make over

Have BSL hair

be more assertive.

make some new friends/get more social experiences/become likeable()

Don't know if i'll complete them this yr...just goals i had for awhile

A Librarian's Tips For Keeping Your New Year's Resolution

For those of us who struggle with resolutions, it may be helpful to step back. Before focusing on the resolution, take some time to learn the best our culture has to offer on how people meet goals, break bad habits and establish good ones.

From these three books, I gleaned three strategies to help us keep our New Year's resolutions in 2013.

Don't rely on willpower. Willpower is overrated as a means for making sustainable changes in our lives.

The authors of "Change Anything" called this the willpower trap:

"When people believe that their ability to make good choices stems from nothing more than their willpower -- and that willpower is a quality they're either born with or they're not -- they eventually stop trying altogether. The willpower trap keeps them in a depressing cycle that begins with heroic commitment to change, which is followed by eroding motivation and terminated inevitably by relapse into old habits."

Charles Duhigg, in "The Power of Habit," explored the metaphor of willpower as a muscle. Willpower can be fatigued by one task and, therefore, unavailable for a later one. This explains why a resolution to exercise after work will falter at the end of an unexpectedly hard day.

On the other hand, "The Power of Habit" also covered studies showing that willpower can be strengthened over time. A success in one area that requires willpower, say going to the gym, can revitalize other healthy habits like eating better. Willpower can help in the long run, but isn't the only tactic available.

"Every time you try your best to do what you know is right and you fail, there's a good chance that your failure can be traced in part to a gap in knowledge or a missing skill."

As a librarian, I use books to increase my knowledge and skills. There is a book, or many, for most resolutions, from eat healthier to improve my photography.

In "Emotional Equations," Chip Conley pointed out that any skill takes practice:

"If you stick with a skill, you start to see some improvement over time until you hit the dreaded plateau when your skill level just seems to coast for a while even though you're pouring energy into improving. Then, all of a sudden, you find that your skill ratchets up to the next level. That's how mastery works. It's not one smooth, upward-facing line of improvement; it happens in fits and starts."

Get support. Have you joined or created a support group for your New Year's resolution? According to "The Power of Habit," this may be a vital step in the success of your venture.

"The evidence is clear: If you want to change a habit, you must find an alternative routine, and your odds of success go up dramatically when you commit to changing as part of a group. Belief is essential, and it grows out of a communal experience, even if that community is only as large as two people."

"Change Anything" used the term "accomplices" for people in our lives who enable our bad habits and "friends" for people who empower behaviors that aid in meeting our goals. Fortunately, accomplices can sometimes be turned into friends.

I really love hearing about your projects! Yay! That's motivation in and of itself for me.

SoutherNtellect wrote:

good thread

i would suggest not just knowing your project, but figure out the method. if you wanna pass an exam or get a better gpa, how will you study? what will you give up if necessary?

if you want to travel, where do you want to go, how will you budget, and what do you want to gain

im working mine out

The bold is important for me. My intention for this year (and here on out really) is ACTION. So for all my projects I'm asking myself, what daily/weekly/monthly action can I complete?

For example...one of my projects is decluttering. Trying to get rid of everything at once doesn't work. But on a daily/weekly basis I can clear off one surface or drawer, or put my donation box in the car so that the next time I'm near goodwill I can just drop it off.]]>
Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:48:06 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041752.html#10041752http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041736.html#10041736
Author: GuidetteSubject: 352803Posted: Jan 01 2013 at 1:40pm

ConcreteRose, Have you started building your profile online via social media. If you think that your shyness may be getting in your way, then I encourage you to work it (personal enhancement project for 2013?). ALso, linkedin and twitter, done in the right way, can provide you with a network of people you never have to meet face to face. Are you a member of any social media networks?

Good luck to you and the other IT experts. Funny, French is also on my be more fluent in list of languages as I feel I will eventually retire to French speaking country- love the cuisine...

I feel like networking will be hard, just because it's hard for me to hold a convo with people I have nothing in common with. Im also pretty shy and reserved. My expected outcome for this is to basically have connections when I need them (for career or whatever)

I'm moving to day shift after working 2nd and 3rd shift for about 7 years. I am going to try to finish my degree in Information Technology but I'm not particularly pressed about it since the CISSP is my ticket to any Network Security Job especially in the government sector.

But I want to travel a little more and finally learn how to speak proper French. I will also resume my weight loss goals which I put on the back burner because I put too much time into work.

Thank you for starting this discussion- I was planning on starting a similar thread, with a slightly different twist. For this year, I plan to launch a new business venture. I was up late, scoring different resources etc. And of course, SBA and a host of other sites will be my best friend. I am at the stage in my life where I want to build enough wealth to assist inner city kids create pathways out of poverty. I am deeply burdened by the skill set I see in our community today.

So for 2012, I will launch... and continue to build a wonderful network of people who are hungry for change. Best of luck to the others here. I strongly believe in collaboration.

I will finish my BA in Public Administration in May. I am working on grad school applications for my MPA. My project is to finish school without losing my job or my sanity ]]>
Tue, 01 Jan 2013 10:54:20 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041359.html#10041359http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041278.html#10041278
Author: maysay1Subject: 352803Posted: Jan 01 2013 at 9:50am

2013 Planning Workbook from Susannah Conway...I found it to be helpful.

It's the first of the year and it seemed like a good time to start this. I know we all have resolutions, goals, plans, and ideas and the beginning of the year is as good a time as any to start.

I thought it would be nice to have a thread where we discuss our ongoing personal projects, whatever they might be (self-improvement, physical, emotional, financial, educational, career, design, etc.). I think community support and idea sharing is really helpful and we could all use more positivity.

So what are you working on? Why is it important to you? What is your expected outcome? What are you doing to achieve completion? Any tips, information (links, books, thoughts, etc.), or thoughts you'd like to share? Progress to celebrate?]]>
Tue, 01 Jan 2013 09:47:57 +0000http://Forum.BlackHairMedia.com/personal-projects-discuss-update-celebrate_topic352803_post10041271.html#10041271